How Hyperempathy Manifests in Autism and How to Manage It
Hyperempathy is something I’ve noticed in many individuals with autism. It’s an intense emotional sensitivity where someone feels the emotions of others very deeply, sometimes to the point of being overwhelmed.
While this isn't a diagnosis on its own, it’s a trait some people with autism experience that can affect their daily life.
What Does Hyperempathy Feel Like?
For people with hyperempathy, emotions aren’t just observed—they are felt. It’s not unusual for someone to cry when they see someone else upset, or experience joy when others are celebrating.
This can happen even if they don’t know the person well. It’s like absorbing someone else’s feelings, which can sometimes be overwhelming.
How Hyperempathy Shows Up in Autism
- Emotional Overload: The intensity of others' emotions can be too much, leading to stress or anxiety.
- Strong Reactions: A person might have big emotional responses to movies, books, or real-life situations that seem intense to others.
- Confusion Between Own Feelings and Others': It can be hard to separate their own emotions from those they’re picking up from others, which can cause confusion.
How to Support Someone with Hyperempathy
If you or someone you know experiences hyperempathy, there are a few ways to help manage it:
- Create a Calm Environment: Quiet spaces can offer a break from the overwhelming emotions of the outside world.
- Teach Emotional Regulation: Learning how to recognize and handle emotions is crucial. ABA therapy is a great tool to help with this.
- Set Boundaries: It’s important to understand that it's okay not to take on every emotion you encounter.
At Inclusive ABA, we specialize in ABA therapy, which can be especially helpful for managing hyperempathy. Through home-based ABA therapy or school-based ABA therapy, we teach emotional regulation, coping strategies, and boundaries to help individuals with autism navigate their heightened emotions.
If you're looking for support, we offer services across Nevada, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Iowa, and Ohio. Let us help you manage emotional sensitivity with a personalized approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can hyperempathy be a gift?
Yes! For some, it’s a beautiful way to connect deeply with others. But it can also be overwhelming, so support is important.
2. How can ABA therapy help?
ABA therapy helps by teaching emotional regulation and providing coping strategies to manage emotional overload.
3. Is hyperempathy common in autism?
It’s not universal, but it’s something I’ve seen in many individuals with autism. It’s just one of the many ways autism shows up.
Sources:
- https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/apr/29/confessions-of-a-hyper-empath
- https://www.verywellmind.com/hyper-empathy-in-autism-8426957
- https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/hyper-empathy-autism
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9804307/
- https://www.shu.ac.uk/news/all-articles/latest-news/autism-and-hyper-empathy-study
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